Type setting and distributing machine



4 Sheets-Sheet 1.

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Patented Apr. 10,1883.

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' 4 Sheets-Sheet 2. L. K. JOHNSON .& A. A. LOW. TYPE SETTING AND D No. 275,664.

ISTRIBUTING MACHINE.

Patented Apr. 10,1883.

N. PETERS. PmfloI-ilhugnyhen Wnhinglon. D. C.

' r 4 Sheets-Sheet 3. L. K. JOHNSON 8a A. A. LOW. TYPE SETTING AND DISTRIBUTING MACHINE. ,664.

(No Model.)

- Patented App. 10,1883.

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(No Model.) 0W4 Sheets- SBI'TING ANDDISTRIBUTING MAGHINE.

Sheet 4.

L. K. JOHNSON & A. A. L TYPE No. 275,664.

Patented Apr. 10,1883.

N. PETERS. Phalu'blhngmpher. wamin mn. D. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LOUIS K. JOHNSON AND A. AUGUSTUS LOW, or BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

TYPE SETTING AND DISTRIBUTING MACHINE.

fiPECIFIC'ATICN forming part of Letters Patent No. 275,664, dated April 10, 1883.

Application filed Jnly1,1882. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, LOUIS K. JOHNSON and A. AUGUSTUS LOW, citizens of the United States, residing in the city of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements i Type Setting and Distributing Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relatesto that class of apparatus in which provision is made both for setting and redistributing the type without transferring or disturbing the type-containingchannels; and it consists, first, in combining and arranging, substantially as hereinafter desig nated, a bank or series of oscillating setterc'hannels, similar to those described in the application for patent filed by Louis K. Johnson December 30, 1881, from which the types may be removed by hand by first depressing the lower ends of the setter-channels away from the upper portions of the lowest types, with acorresponding bank or series of distributer channels, receivers, &c., adapted to receive and forward the types in a prescribed manner.

Asecond feature of our invention consists in constructing and arranging the oscillating channels and connections of the type-setting portion of the apparatus in such manner that any one maybe depressed independently to secure a particular type, or the whole series or bank may be depressed simultaneously, thus presenting and exposing at one time a single type of each and all the denominations represented in the bank, ready to be immediately it also relieves his hand'of all labor except that involved in simply grasping and withdrawing the exposed type.

Still another feature of our invention consists in arranging the lower ends of the oscillating'setter-channels in such manner that they occupy positions alternately in advance of and above each other,aby which means we are enabled to place the said channels side by side without any intervening spaces, so that their independence of movement and accessibility will not be interfered with, while a whole bank or series of channels sufficient to contain all the denominations of type required may be made to occupy a comparatively-small horizontal Space, and thus be within convenient distance of the compositor.

The last feature of our invention consists in so mounting the reciprocating pusher-bar and the driving-shaft of the type-distributing portion of the apparatus that they may bereadily removed or swung out of the way, so as to give access to and permit of the removal or insertion of the transfer or distributer type-containingchannelsfrom the rear of the apparatus.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan of our improved apparatus with the central portion broken away. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the portions of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the upper portions of the apparatus shownin Figs. 1 and 2, the portion on the right being shown with the reciprocating pusher-bar and driving-shaft removed from position to admit of the insertion or removal of the transfer or distributer channels. Fig. 4 is a horizontal section on plane of line to 20, Fig. 3, immediately underneath the bank of receivers, giving atop view of the parts shown in thelatter figure. Fig. 5 is a vertical longitudinal section through one of the combined type-channels on plane of line as a, Fig. 1, the rest of the apparatus being shown in elevation; Fig. 6, a similar view of the front or setter portion of the apparatus, showing the first oscillating channel depressed independently; Fig. 7, a similar view, illustrating the method of depressin gall the setterchannels together.

In the drawings, A represents a bank of receivers and conduits adapted to hand distribution. The receiving or transfer channelsb are mounted upon the table or frame B, so as to coincide with and constitute continuations of the receiver-conduits a. At their front ends the side walls, b b, ofthese receiving-channels b are continued forward over and beyond the point of conjunction with the oscillating setterchannels 0, so as to form a continuous guide and lateral support for the type while it i being slid from one to the other.

warding the types as they descend from the conduits a, simply rests upon open ways or slides d d, so that when the eccentric-rods e c are disconnected, it may be withdrawn bodily. The forward ends of the eccentric-rods c e are slotted or hooked, so as to drop over the pins or shoulders d d upon the ends of the pusher D, so that while they are held in position during use by gravity they may be quickly swung back and away from the pusher or as quickly reconnected with it.

The driving-shaft 1*, upon which the eccentries E E and driving-pulley 1 are mounted, also rests upon open seats or pillow-blocksff in order that it may be readily raised therefrom after unshipping the driving-belt, which passes over the driving-pulley from below, so that in use it will tend to retain the journals of the driving-shaft in their proper positions upon the open pillow-blocks. By thus mount iug and connecting the pusher-bar and the driving-shaft they may be quickly removed to give access to the receiving-channels b from the rear of the apparatus. The principal object in thus providing for the removal and insertion of the distributor receiving-channels from the rear is to allow an empty channel to be substituted in place of a full one, in case the types of a particular denomination should happen to be deposited in the distributing end faster than they were removed from the setting end of the apparatus, without interfering with the use or operation of the setter-channels.

The setter-channels O are similar in general construction and operation to those described in the application for patent of L. K. Johnson before referred to. Each setter-channelis pivoted at its inner extremity in such a manner that the upper surface of its floor will correspond to and unite with that of the floor of the distributer receiving or transfer channel I), which is placed to coincide with it.

As shown in the drawings, the combined gage-plate and finger-piece e is permanently attached to the top of the oscillating channel, although it may be made adjustable, if preferred. Its ofllce is to control the number of type to be withdrawn from the channel, and also to furnish a hearing or rest for the finger, by which the channel may be depressed independently.

An opening or space, 0, is provided for the reception of the type shoulder or abutment c at the lower rear portion of each oscillating setter-channel. This shoulder or abutment c sustains thelowest typein a column, and when the channel is depressed causes the upper portion of said lowest type to project beyond the top of the gage-plate and finger-piece c sufiieiently to be grasped between the thumb and finger and withdrawn. In the present case the outer front ends ofthe channels are formed with tongues or projections 0 which are engaged by arms or levers h, projecting from a rock-shaft, H, mounted upon the front of the apparatus. The rock-shaft is sustained with its arms or levers in the highest position by one or more mainsprings, i. As shown, the latter are situated upon the treadle-rods t, and act between shoulders t upon the latter, and fixed supports it upon the frame beinglimited in their expansion by stops it upon the rods t, which stops are provided with buffers t n to prevent jar.

It is obvious that the springs may be otherwise placed, or analogous devices may be used to tend constantly to sustain the levers or depressors in their highest position without departing from the principle of our invention, which is to construct a depressor capable of depressing all the channels simultaneously, but which in its normal position will allow all the setter-channels to assume either their highest or normal positions or to be depressed independently. The extent of the downward motion of the parts is determined either by the bottom of the setter-channels coming in contact with the cushioned seats or stops k k in front of the stationary abutments or typeshonlders c, as shown, or by other suitable stops arranged to limit the motion of the parts. To return the setter-channels to their normal positions when relieved from downward press ure,we employ secondary retractile springs I Z, which are shown as attached to the under sides of the depressordevers h k, and bearing upon the under sides of the channel tongues or pro jections a c. It is obvious that these springs also may be varied in position, the only requisite being that their elasticity shall be so employed as to tend constantly to sustain the channels in their highest position.

For the purpose of enabling us to place the setter-channels as close together as possible, and thereby bring the requisite number of channels within convenient distance of the compositor, we make the alternate channels of shorter length than the others, and also clevate the positions of their front ends a distance equal to the extent of motion common to all, so that the type from these channels are presented and withdrawn from a plane above and in the rear of those in the lower channels sufficiently removed to obviate all danger of interference or inconvenience.

Instead of varying the lengths of the setter-channels, the same result may be attained, if desired, by elevating the alternate channels of both the setter and distributor a sufficient distance above those next adjacent, thus presenting the type for removal in the same vertical plane, but a sufiicient distance apart to admit of convenient handling.

It will of course be understood that the alternate stationary type shoulders or abutments 0 0 the seats or stops in, and the de pressing arms or levers h It are correspondin gly elevated above those adjacent to make the extent of motion uniform throughout the entire bank.

The operation is as follows: The types are and forwarded by the reciprocating pusher D distributed-into the receivers A and descend through the conduits a -to the distributer or transfer channels b in which they are raised against the resistance of the slugs s. As casion requires they are slid down into the oscillating setter-channels, the slugs s removed and replaced before the pusher, and a following slug, sf, placed upon the rear and top of the column. When a single type is desired, the compositor places his finger upon the top of the gage or finger-piece of the proper channel and depresses the latter against the resistance of its secondary spring I, thus bringingthe desired type between the thumb and finger. In withdrawing the type the channel is allowed to conform to the action ot'the secondary spring l,which returnsittoits normal position. These secondary springs l, as compared with those operating the rock-shaft H, are of slight elastic power, being only strong enough to raise a single channel filled with type, so that the main springs t t'eft'ectuallyresist any tendency of the rock-shaft to follow the downward motion of the single channel. When more than one type is required, or even when one is required and speed is essential, the operator presses his foot upon the treadle,forcin g down the rock-shaft or depressor H against the resistance of the main springs t 41, thus depress ing the front ends of all the setter-channels and exposing a type of each denomination in position to be immediately grasped and withdrawn. When the compositor removes the pressure from the treadle the mainsprings 'i t and secondarysprings l linsure the return of all the parts to their former positions. Since the compositor can again in like manner de: press all of the channels with his foot while engaged with hishands in placing and arranging the types already taken in the stick, it is obvious that he can work more rapidly than where each'channel has to be depressed independently by hand.

What we claim as our invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

I. In combination with a reciprocating pusher and a driving-shaft connected together substantially as set forth, the open ways and pillow-blocks d dff, for the purpose of allowing the said pusher-driving shaft and connections to be quickly removed from position to give access to therear of the distribnter-channels, substantially in the manner and for the purpose described.

2. The combination, with a type-distributing apparatus substantially such as designated, of

a series of oscillating type-setter ch annels, from channels coinciding with and being pivoted so as to form continuations of the distributer receiverchannels, substantially in the manner and for the'purpose set forth.

3. In a combined type setter and distributer substantially such as herein set forth, the distributer or transfer channels having their side walls extending forward over and beyond the point of junction with the oscillating setterchannels, in combination with thelatter, havin g their upper rear side walls formed to correspond with and form continuations of the said walls of the distributer-channels, substantially in the manner and for the purpose described.

4. In combination with a series of oscillating type-setter channels, from the lower ends of which the types are projected by stationary shoulders when the setterchannels are depressed, substantially as set forth, a depressor adapted to depress all the channels simultaneously, while at the same timein its normal position it permits the channels to be depressed individually and independently, substantially in the manner and for the purpose described.

5. In combination with a seriesof oscillating type-setter channels, from the lower ends of which the types are projected by stationary shoulders when the setterchannels are depressed, a depressor adapted to depress all the which the types are projected by stationary shoulders when the setter-channels are depressed, and-a depressor-adapted to depress all the channels simultaneously, substantially as herein designated, a series of secondary retractile springs attached to the said depressor,

and adapted to return the channels individually to their normal position after depression, substantially in the mannerand for the purpose described.

LOUIS K. JOHNSON. A. AUGUSTUS LOW. Witnesses:

GEO. W. MIATT,

G110. H. Evans.

type-setter channels, from the lower ends of I 

